CONFLUENCE AFTERMATH: What they’re saying the day after the big vote

V1 Staff |

The Election Day victory by Confluence Project supporters in a pair of referendums led to a flurry of day-after-the-election statements by individuals and groups involved in the campaign. Here’s a sampling of the press releases.

STATE REP. DANA WACHS (D-Eau Claire):

Yesterday's election was a truly unique event in the history of Eau Claire and one of the most encouraging.  Voters have proven that they support the Confluence Project and what it means for the future of Eau Claire. This has been a strong collaborative effort that we can all be proud of.

There is still a lot of work to be done. I look forward to working with local and state officials and my colleagues in the Legislature to make this project a reality.

UW-EAU CLAIRE CHANCELLOR JAMES SCHMIDT:

Results from Tuesday's referendum votes related to the Confluence Project have endorsed the university's participation as a partner in the project.

We are grateful for the overwhelming support of voters in Eau Claire County and the city of Eau Claire. The results demonstrate our fellow citizens agree the Confluence Project represents a new way of government institutions and private enterprise working together to create something that no single entity could create alone: a first-class arts center that will greatly benefit the community and the university alike.

But it is also important to note that much work lies ahead if this project is to become reality. Typically, a referendum vote is the final word on an issue. That clearly is not the case here.

The referendum results enable the process with our multiple partners to proceed. Next steps include successfully reaching a development agreement with the city; satisfying criteria set forth by the City Council, County Board and UW System Board of Regents for funding commitments; securing support from the Board of Regents, the governor's office and state legislature; and receiving the millions of dollars in philanthropy needed for construction of the arts center.

Of course, as was the case with the new W.R. Davies Student Center and Centennial Hall, should the arts center receive all necessary funding, we would then undertake the considerable tasks of design and construction.

Since I arrived as chancellor, I have consistently said that I intend to integrate UW-Eau Claire more fully and meaningfully into the community. I am committed to being a strong partner and hope the Confluence Project is one of many productive partnerships to come.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the engagement of our Student Senate in the Confluence Project referendum process. The Student Senate played a critical role informing the student body about the project, including enabling supporters and opponents alike to present their views, registering fellow students to vote, and encouraging them to cast their ballots on election day. I could not be more proud of the way our student leaders conducted themselves. They made us all proud to be Blugolds!

CITIZENS REFERENDUM COMMITTEE (This group led the petition drive to put a referendum on the city ballot that would have required future referendums for city spending of $1 million or more on performing arts facilities):

We are grateful to all the volunteers who worked so hard to insure that the citizens of Eau Claire had the right to vote on this important topic. Voter turnout was high, and the conversation on the Confluence Project dominated our spring thaw. We at the CRC hope that our leaders recognize all the great things that came from placing such an important decision in the hands of the voters and continue to involve the community as the project evolves.  We had one simple mantra – “Let the people vote.” – They have.

VOTERS WITH FACTS (A political action group formed to oppose the Confluence Project):

Voters with Facts thanks its volunteers and the many citizens that supported its efforts. We were pleased at the turn out and impressed by the number of “yes” votes for the City referendum. The 5,584 “yes” votes are a significant number. They constitute 91% of the total votes cast during last year’s City Council election and more than any one of the individual at large council members received. Given that Voters with Facts was out spent by a ratio in excess of 20 to 1, the number of misleading statements made by the pro-Confluence groups that were repeated by the media, and the minimal press (mostly negative) coverage, this is truly  a remarkable result.   Going forward, Voters With Facts expects the City and Council to recognize the fact that there are a substantial number of citizens that are concerned about the Confluence Project and henceforth provide full and honest disclosure of the impact of proposed actions on property taxes, debt, and future budgets.

 Voters with Facts will continue in its role as a grassroots organization that provides facts to taxpayers.

EAU CLAIRE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (Statement from Darin McFadden, chairman of the chamber’s board of directors):

Our Chamber Board would like to congratulate the project organizers on the positive result from the ballot issues in the April 1 election, which makes it possible for the Confluence Project to move onto the next stage for approval. We appreciate that the majority of city and county voters recognize that this project represents not only a wise public expenditure but it also serves as a sensible investment into our local economy.  

 The mission of the Chamber is to serve as “the advocate of business, striving to enhance and protect the business environment and the quality of life in the Chippewa Valley.” The Chamber believes strongly in this mission and firmly believes the project will enhance the economic vitality of the community while fulfilling community cultural needs. This is why our Chamber Board of Directors unanimously voted in favor of supporting this project in 2012 and reaffirmed it last December.  

 Although we’re very pleased with today’s ballot results, the Chamber recognizes that there is still a lot of work yet to be done before the Confluence Project becomes a reality.  Enlisting philanthropic support will be one of the next critical steps to ensure that the decision makers in Madison clearly understand that our community stands ready to support this project.   With more than one-third of the total amount required already raised, the Chamber is very pleased that many of our members have already stepped forward with their generous support.  Companies like RCU, JAMF Software, Charter Bank, US Bank, and Northwestern Bank are a few early supporters.   

 Finalizing the State of Wisconsin’s contribution for UW-Eau Claire’s share of the project is also a critical next step, and our Chamber stands ready to work with project organizers to ensure that the State of Wisconsin recognizes our community supports the Confluence Project.